Unable to be Arrogant [Entertainment Circle] | Chapter 114 | A Song for You | Novela.app

"Alright, cut! Jin'an, let's get a close-up. We're just recording your eyes," Tang Shang called out through his megaphone. Zhang Jin'an signaled an "OK" with his hand. "Say what you will, but Zhang Jin'an really becomes whoever he plays. Just look at today—the previous scene was so somber, yet this one is so cheerful, and he didn't let the emotions bleed over at all," the assistant director whispered to Tang Shang while the camera crew adjusted their positions. "It’s like he becomes a different person the moment he changes clothes. Once you call 'action,' his entire aura shifts." Tang Shang chuckled. "Based on your shocked reaction, one would think this was your first day meeting him. Still, over these past few months, his acting has improved significantly. He’s much more natural now." The assistant director sighed. "Ah, we’re almost at the wrap-up. Every day of filming we have left is one less to enjoy." "Alright, get ready to start," Tang Shang commanded. The camera focused on Zhang Jin'an. On the monitor, a split view appeared: a close-up of his eyes and a wide profile shot. "Three, two, one. Action." In this scene, Chen Yijun was a suspicious man. He suspected an internal mole but refused to show overt hostility toward everyone. What Zhang Jin'an was portraying now was a man who had just uncovered the truth. Speculation, discovery, affirmation, understanding, and finally, acceptance—all of it had to be conveyed through his eyes alone. *The eyes hide every emotion.* This was a belief Zhang Jin'an held firmly. Zhang Jin'an steadied his mind and slowly opened his eyes. First came a flicker of slight daze, followed by a subtle knit of his brows. Then, his pupils shifted downward as if he were deep in thought. Suddenly, his gaze darted to the bottom right corner and locked into place. Tang Shang couldn't help but clench his fists. After exactly three seconds—not a moment more or less—Zhang Jin'an tilted his head slightly. A visible smile slowly curled at the corners of his lips. Zhang Jin'an closed his eyes, and Tang Shang finally relaxed his grip. Finally, Zhang Jin'an lifted his eyelids and looked directly into the lens. Watching the monitor, Tang Shang suddenly remembered asking Zhang Jin'an before filming what kind of person Chen Yijun was. Zhang Jin'an had replied: *Arrogance beneath a calm surface.* How could Chen Yijun be arrogant? In the book, he was cowardly, a pushover, indecisive—a man who couldn't stand the sight of blood and only found the courage to pick up a gun at the very end. How was he arrogant? Tang Shang hadn't understood it then, but he understood it now. Chen Yijun's arrogance was hidden deep within the human heart. Zhang Jin'an only looked at the camera for half a second, but Tang Shang felt it was more than enough. He decisively shouted, "Cut!" The assistant director replayed the shot several times, unable to stop praising it. "Excellent, truly excellent. I haven't seen such fine micro-expressions in a long time. This could easily be used as a teaching tool for rookie actors." Tang Shang looked at Zhang Jin'an and replied, "Acting requires both talent and hard work; you can't lack either. Zhang Jin'an has the talent and is hardworking and serious enough. If he can't act well, who can? This guy always manages to surprise me." Zhang Jin'an felt a bit uncertain after the take. Performing subtle expressions without the context of the preceding plot can often make an actor's performance feel thin, making it easy to lose the character. He had been worried about slipping out of the role. He observed the expressions of Tang Shang and the assistant director. Seeing no signs of disappointment, he assumed they were satisfied with the take. "Alright, everyone take a break. Time for dinner!" Tang Shang announced, and the crew erupted in cheers. "Director Tang, how was that take?" Zhang Jin'an didn't forget to check in with Tang Shang before heading to the lounge. He wanted to hear the director's thoughts. Tang Shang nodded. "Very good. It’s the segment I’m most, most, *most* satisfied with so far." Zhang Jin'an’s heart finally settled. He joked, "Hey, Director Tang, I think you said the same thing last time." Tang Shang seemed to be in a good mood and laughed. "Last time was 'most, most.' This time I added another 'most.' It’s different." After chatting with Tang Shang for a few more moments and greeting Ge Xianxu, Zhang Jin'an returned to the lounge. Xiao Zhou had already picked up their boxed meals and was already eating. Xiao Zhou was eating with gusto. "We have sweet and sour pork tenderloin today." Zhang Jin'an didn't feel particularly hungry and wasn't in a rush to eat. Leaning against the sofa, he opened his phone and went straight to WeChat, tapping on the pinned message marked with a red notification. It was a video. Zhang Jin'an read the text below: "Filmed with Xie Jie's help?" Curiosity piqued, Xiao Zhou walked over to Zhang Jin'an while holding his meal box. "What's up? What did that Old Thief film?" Because of Zhang Jin'an's deepening relationship with Jiang Siyang, Xiao Zhou and Xie Jie—being of similar age—had quickly become friends. Because Xie Jie was stingy, Xiao Zhou often called him the "Stingy Old Thief," while Xie Jie called Xiao Zhou "Landlord Zhou" because he had become an overnight millionaire through a property demolition payout. Neither of them had a normal nickname. Zhang Jin'an tapped the video and turned his phone horizontally. The frame started on the floor, then the camera slowly panned upward to reveal a balcony in some hotel. The balcony wasn't large and held a single wicker chair. The backdrop was the night sky. Zhang Jin'an nodded. "I have to say, he really captured the mood here." "True. I didn't realize the Old Thief had these skills," Xiao Zhou added. Suddenly, a loud off-camera voice interrupted: "Psst, psst! You can come out now." Zhang Jin'an: "..." Xiao Zhou: "...Damn. Total mood killer." "I'm guessing Siyang is about to sing," Zhang Jin'an said suddenly. "Really?" Xiao Zhou sounded skeptical. Sure enough, a second later, Jiang Siyang walked out from the room carrying a ukulele. Xiao Zhou was stunned. "How did you know?" Zhang Jin'an paused the video to explain. "Look, there's only one chair on the balcony. What else would he do besides sing? It's not like he'd record three minutes of just looking at the moon, right?" "Oh, true," Xiao Zhou said. Even though he had guessed it, Zhang Jin'an was still delighted. He couldn't help but smile as he hit play again. Jiang Siyang was wearing a white shirt over a t-shirt and deep blue sweatpants. He sat down in the chair and cradled the ukulele. Without saying a word, he waited two seconds, lowered his head, and began to play. The intro was very familiar to Zhang Jin'an, but he couldn't place the song immediately. "Oh! I know this song!" Xiao Zhou clapped his hands. "It's 'I Want You,' the song Ren Suxi sang in the movie *Mr. Donkey*!" With Xiao Zhou's reminder, Zhang Jin'an remembered. "Yes, it's 'I Want You,'" Zhang Jin'an said, his gaze never leaving the person on the screen for a moment. Jiang Siyang began to sing. "I want... you by my side," Jiang Siyang's voice was incredibly gentle as he crooned softly. "I want... to watch you do your hair." With just the first line, Zhang Jin'an felt his heart melting. "The night breeze blows, making my heart itch, my lover," Jiang Siyang glanced at the camera, then lowered his head again. "In a foreign land, I gaze at the moon..." "Blame it on this moonlight, its tantalizing madness—" "Blame it on this guitar, its sorrowful melody—" The camera zoomed in on Jiang Siyang until the frame was filled only with his hands strumming the ukulele. As the next verse began, the camera slowly panned up to his face. Jiang Siyang flashed a smile at the lens, and the camera pulled back again. "Damn, there's even cinematography?" Xiao Zhou muttered under his breath. Zhang Jin'an couldn't hear anyone else; he was focused entirely on the song. "Oh—I want to sing a song, silently thinking of you, my lover." The last time Jiang Siyang had sung like this was on a variety show, a duet with a music shop owner. But now, he was singing for him alone. "I Want You" was a melodious, slow song—it was like "telling" a tender story. It suited Jiang Siyang perfectly. "Where are you? The dawn is approaching..." "Blame it on this night, its tantalizing madness. Blame it on this guitar, its sorrowful melody." Zhang Jin'an used to think that people who cried while listening to love songs were faking it. It was just a song; how could it be so moving? But now, the glaring truth was right before his eyes. A song really could be that moving. Even though nothing major had happened and they hadn't experienced a painful parting, and even though he didn't want to cry, he was deeply stirred. Jiang Siyang always had a million ways to surprise him. "Oh—I want to sing a song. Silently thinking of you, my lover." "Where are you, the dawn is approaching." "I'll give you beautiful clothes, and watch you slowly do your hair." "This night is too tense, the time too long, my lover." "In a foreign land, I gaze at the moon." The song reached its end before he realized it. It wasn't until the video automatically paused that Zhang Jin'an snapped back to reality. "He really sings well," Xiao Zhou remarked. "If I could sing that well, I'd go straight to *Super Boy*." "..." Zhang Jin'an remained silent for a few seconds. "Xiao Zhou, I'm going to send a message." "Got it." Xiao Zhou immediately understood and returned to his seat. Zhang Jin'an stared at his phone, but for a long time, he couldn't type a single word. He didn't know what to say. One song had made him forget everything else. He only remembered that melody; he only remembered that video. Zhang Jin'an lowered his head and covered his face with his hand, not wanting anyone to see. His face was burning hot. *Blame it on this night's tantalizing madness.* *** **Glossary** Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation ---|---|--- 陈毅君 | Chen Yijun | The character Zhang Jin'an plays in the drama *Hidden Shadows*. 《我要你》 | "I Want You" | A popular romantic song in China. 《驴得水》 | *Mr. Donkey* | A 2016 Chinese dark comedy film. 老贼 | Old Thief | Xiao Zhou's nickname for Xie Jie. 周地主 | Landlord Zhou | Xie Jie's nickname for Xiao Zhou. 快乐男声 | *Super Boy* | A popular Chinese singing competition (also known as *Happy Boy*).